You’ve probably heard that most kids get braces around middle school. And that’s still true for a lot of families. But the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child has an early orthodontic visit by age seven. Not age twelve. Not age ten. Age seven.
That might sound early. But by age seven, your child’s first permanent molars and front teeth have usually come in. That gives an orthodontist like Dr. Sheer a clear picture of how things are shaping up. And in some cases, catching a problem early means easier treatment later. Or no braces at all.
Here are seven signs that it’s time to bring your child in for a visit.
1. Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth
Most kids start losing teeth around age five or six. But if your child loses their first tooth way earlier than that, or still has most of their baby teeth at age eight, it’s worth a look. The timing of tooth loss affects how the permanent teeth come in. Too early or too late can create crowding or spacing problems down the road.
2. Trouble Chewing or Biting
Does your child take forever to eat? Do they avoid certain foods like meat or apples because it’s hard to bite through them? That’s not just picky eating. It could mean their teeth aren’t lining up the way they should. An orthodontist can spot bite issues long before you’d notice them yourself.
3. Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing isn’t just a habit. It can actually change how your child’s face grows. When a child breathes through their mouth all the time, the tongue sits low instead of resting on the roof of the mouth. That can lead to a longer, narrower face and crowded teeth. Dr. Sheer specializes in dentofacial orthopedics, which means he helps guide jaw growth. And fixing mouth breathing is often part of that.
4. Thumb Sucking Past Age Five
Thumb sucking after age five can start to affect the way your child’s teeth and jaw develop. If your child is still sucking their thumb when their permanent teeth are coming in, an early orthodontic visit can help you figure out how to gently phase out the habit before it causes real problems.
5. Crowded or Overlapping Teeth
Take a look at your child’s smile. Do the teeth look like they’re fighting for space? Are some teeth twisting or overlapping? That’s crowding. And it doesn’t usually fix itself. Early treatment can sometimes create more space so that when all the permanent teeth come in, they have room to land where they belong.
6. Teeth That Stick Out
If your child’s front teeth stick out noticeably, that’s more than a cosmetic concern. Protruding teeth are more likely to get chipped or knocked out during sports or playground falls. An orthodontist can often reduce that risk with early intervention. And that’s a win for both your child’s smile and your peace of mind.
7. Your Child Snores
Loud, regular snoring in a child isn’t cute. It can be a sign of breathing problems during sleep, often related to the size and shape of the airway. Orthodontics won’t fix every snoring issue. But sometimes, expanding the upper jaw creates more room for air to flow. And that can make a real difference in how well your child sleeps.
What Happens During an Early Orthodontic Visit?
An early orthodontic visit at Mt. Airy Children’s Dental Associates is easy. No braces get put on that day. No x-rays unless they’re really needed. Dr. Sheer will take a quick look, talk with you about what he sees, and let you know if it’s a “wait and see” situation or if early treatment makes sense.
And if it’s the latter? He’ll explain exactly what that means in plain English. No confusing dental school vocabulary.
Is it time to have your child’s smile checked out? Give us a call at (301) 781-5337 or request an appointment online. We’d love to take a look and give you some honest answers.